2021 Dodge Durango
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Exterior lighting is the leading concern among 202 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 25 Durango model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 10 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgateAug 13, 2026
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, possibly resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
A damaged rear spoiler may detach and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace or repair the spoiler and align the liftgate as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 10, 2026. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 61D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 20, 2026. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 21V842 or 23V115. Vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.
Campaign 26V528000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraJun 13, 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.
Campaign 24V436000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgateFeb 23, 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
A damaged rear spoiler can detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the rear spoiler, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 9, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 20A. This recall is an expansion of recall number 21V-842.
Campaign 23V115000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, emission control, gas recirculation valve (egr valve)Apr 28, 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the EGR valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z31.
Campaign 22V284000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, rack and pinionMar 14, 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango and 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The steering gear rack bar may have been insufficiently hardened during manufacturing, possibly allowing it to bind within the steering rack, and resulting in difficulty steering or a loss of steering control.
Difficulty steering, or a loss of steering control, can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 12, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-852-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z18.
Campaign 22V154000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleMar 10, 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 2500 and 2021-2022 Dodge Durango vehicles, and 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z20.
Campaign 22V140000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, bodyOct 28, 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
A damaged rear spoiler could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the rear spoiler, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y73.
Campaign 21V842000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, critical fastenersApr 22, 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Durango vehicles. The Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC) fastener may be loose or missing.
A loose or missing fastener may cause the side curtain air bag to deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will tighten or replace the fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent on May 7, 2021. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y16.
Campaign 21V280000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: exterior lighting
90 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Aug 31, 2026
The driver side daytime running lamp no longer works after 55000 miles. The daytime running lamp (DRL) is an led light strip that requires the entire headlamp to be replaced. Anyone can inspect the issue at any time. The issue presents a risk to oncoming traffic who cannot see my entire vehicle especially at dawn / dusk and foggy days. The daytime running lamp is utilized to alert oncoming traffic and pedestrians that a car is approaching. The dodge dealership that I purchased the car from is aware of the issue and has neglected to resolve the issue. An independent auto mechanic has confirmed that the DRL is malfunctioning. There weren't any warning signs or messages. The light just shut off and has not turned back on. A new running lamp is $1200 and requires approximately $500 in labor to install. This is not an issue that is simply solved by changing out a $20 light bulb. The issue began about 2 months ago.
Exterior lighting, Aug 29, 2026
Drivers side running light went out at 65k miles. Hundreds of complaints on same issue online. Not covered after bumper to bumper
Exterior lighting, Aug 25, 2026
The driver side headlight is malfunctioning causing the daytime running light to not work.
Exterior lighting, Aug 25, 2026
Driver side DRL went out at 50k miles.
Exterior lighting, Aug 25, 2026
Half my taillight went out randomly, causing only half of it to work at night.
Exterior lighting, Aug 25, 2026
My vehicle is 5 years old with 54,000 miles on its and my driver's side headlight has failed. The headlamps are LED and in order to repair them, the entire housing needs a replacement, not just a bulb. My headlights need to be operational in order to drive safely at night. I have an appointment with the dealership to confirm the issue. There were not any warnings or failure symptoms.
Exterior lighting, Aug 24, 2026
Drivers side running lights are not working. So you are forced to turn off daytime running lights or have one out. This seems to be a very common issue with dodge Durango for some reason.
Exterior lighting, Aug 24, 2026
It’s known that the DRL and race track tail lights go out faster than what they should. Also the tail lights once the lift gate is open on the edges of both sides are very sharp. My DRL on my 21 Durango with only 59k miles just went out. That is way to fast and the price to fix is insane
Exterior lighting, Aug 24, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding an ongoing headlight/turn signal failure on my 2021 Dodge Durango involving the factory LED turn signals that are sealed/encased within the headlight assemblies. The driver-side front LED turn signal failed first, and now the passenger-side front LED turn signal has also failed. Because these LED turn signals are integrated into the sealed headlight assemblies, this is not a simple situation where a standard turn signal bulb can be replaced. The failure can require replacement of the headlight assembly, making what should normally be a basic safety-related lighting repair significantly more expensive. I am concerned that this may be a widespread defect affecting Dodge vehicles equipped with this style of LED headlight/turn signal assembly, rather than normal wear. Both sides failing on the same vehicle raises concerns regarding the durability and expected service life of the integrated LED turn signal components. Turn signals are an important vehicle safety feature used to communicate a driver's intentions to other motorists and pedestrians. When an integrated LED turn signal fails, other drivers may not be able to clearly see that the vehicle is turning or changing lanes, increasing the potential for an accident. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate complaints involving premature failure of the integrated/encased LED turn signals and headlight assemblies on the 2021 Dodge Durango and other similarly equipped Dodge vehicles. If these failures are determined to be caused by a common defect in the LED components, wiring, electronics, or headlight assembly design, I believe the manufacturer should be required to provide an appropriate remedy rather than requiring vehicle owners to bear the expense of replacing complete headlight assemblies for failed safety lighting components.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2026
There is a daytime running light (DRL) malfunction with both headlights, it started with the drivers side slowly going out and now the passenger side is slowly going out. This is happening to several Dodge Durango owners of the 2021 model and can be found in the Dodge Durango forum online. The dealer stated it’s an out of pocket expense because the DRL is out and the entire component needs replaced. This is inaccurate because when I turn off the DRL settings the turning signal flashes orange fast so this tells me it’s not completely out and the headlights themselves work. My car has been this way for over a year because I can’t afford to spend $1500+ per light replacement and for the dealer to claim it has to be an out of pocket expense is not okay because the point of LED lights are because they use less energy while lasting 25x as much so it doesn’t make sense that they stopped turning on versus the non LED. While driving around I’ve seen SEVERAL Dodge Durango with a DRL out or both or one out and the other half way out so this confirms it’s a manufacture issue. I came across forums of people with this issue and full extended warranty coverages where they’re being told it’s not covered. Dodge(Mopar) needs to address this for the consumer as it causes a safety issue when the left/right turning signals are not properly displayed. The car wouldn’t pass a safety test. Myself and several Dodge Durango owners are currently at risk of being in a car accident due to this malfunction. The full assembly does not need replaced. Please look this over and issue a safety recall as my family and I are at risk because I can’t afford a $3000 headlight replacement that isn’t even needed. That’s just the dealer and Mopar trying to make more $$$ while not worried about the safety of their customers.
Exterior lighting, Jul 31, 2026
Drivers side daytime running lights out. I’ve noticed about a dozen more dodge durangos running lights are also out. Seems to be a manufactured problem. A lot of forums and conversations on Reddit complaining of the same. It cost about 500 dollars to replace the headlight and takes all day due to dismantling the whole front bimper and plastic components to get access. A really bad design
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 26, 2026
Rear racetrack style taillight assembly had faulty gaskets when purchased, allowing for water intrusion of the taillight assembly, causing water damage to the electrical components in the light assembly and shorting the LED Lights.
Exterior lighting, May 29, 2026
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 44,000 MILES
Exterior lighting, May 27, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver-side headlight would not illuminate during nighttime conditions. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as needing both front headlights to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
Exterior lighting, May 25, 2026
The Driver side Daytime Running Light (DRL) has stopped working. This is not a replaceable bulb, an entire head lamp assembly must be purchased, its also not really a user replaceable item. It involves removing the from bumper cover an other body parts. Im reporting this because this is a common occurrence on 2021 and up model year Dodge Durango and Im hoping you get enough reports to force a recall. Lighting is required for safety, it should not be something thats so difficult and expensive to repair, AND it should not be happening so frequently on this specific DRL in this vehicle.
Exterior lighting, May 16, 2026
The DRL failed - seems like it is due to a faulty ground connection on CANBUS.
Exterior lighting, May 14, 2026
The driver's side LED headlight has gone out. It is LED and suppose to outlast the vehicle. Headlight works but turn signal doesn't in the front. This unit is over $1,000 to have replaced and multiple people are complaining about it happening to their Dodge Durango RT's as well.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 6, 2026
My life turn signal and parking light stopped working, my problem is the whole headlight assembly needs to be replaced just because these two items don’t work. The dealer wants over $800 for the part. Why don’t they issue a warranty or a recall on this item? It’s too much to pay just because turn signal and parking light doesn’t work.
Exterior lighting, Apr 21, 2026
Drivers side Daytime Running Light (DRL) failed. Bulb cannot be replaced, instead entire headlight must be replaced for over $1000. DLR is a safety feature which alerts other vehicles and pedestrians that a vehicle is on or in motion. Due to poor craftsmanship of this critical Dodge part, it is reasonable to recall Dodge’s defective safety equipment.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2026
The SUV has been experiencing electrical issues that started first one of the headlights stopped working, the white light around it, then it was the tailgate got a liftgate open error on the display even when the liftgate was closed, then we started to notice other electrical issues with the vehicle but the major problem that happened now is that while we were driving, all of the lights of the dashboard started to light up and the car was not responding to the accelerator pedal was not responding at all and we stalled in the middle of the street, we were lucky this didn't happen while we were on the freeway, we are afraid to use the car anymore because of this, the dealer refuses to take care of this issue because the warranty has passed but this is a major safety issue that can cause injury or death
Exterior lighting, Apr 13, 2026
My 2021 dodge durango rt have issues with front turn signal light on the driver side I have read dodge forums and other owners are experiencing the same problems how isn't this a safety issue or a recall from dodge
Exterior lighting, Mar 10, 2026
Driver side Daytime Running Light (DLR) went out without warning. Another motorist notified me. Fixing requires the entire headlamp assembly to be replaced and the part, alone, is over $1,100.
Exterior lighting, Mar 3, 2026
Driver Side Day Time Running Does not work. This is a very common problem with 2021 and up Dodge Durang's . Driving light are a safety feature. Some states require them to be on.
Exterior lighting, Feb 27, 2026
21 dodge durango driver’s led daytime running light went out, a lot of people having same issues specially with 21’s
Exterior lighting, Feb 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side headlight failed to function as intended. In addition, the front passenger side headlight was very dim. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that the LED ballast had failed. The contact was informed that the headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.